ESL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

INTRODUCTION LEVEL

ESLG 0001
This course introduces students to basic English skills. Students in this course learn practical vocabulary, important English phrases, greetings, the alphabet, the English number system, fundamental grammatical concepts, and basic pronunciation. Students learn to express important needs and wants in English, to give simple requests and to use questions in order to acquire new information. Students obtain basic reading skills by engaging with elementary texts.

ESLC 0001
This course introduces students to the English phonetic system, while learning simple common daily expressions. Students practice correct pronunciation, intonation, and accent reduction. Students will replicate correct English sounds through pronunciation drills, dialogues, and oral readings.

ESLV 0001
This course introduces students to an extensive array of vocabulary terms used in daily English language conversation and writing. Students engage in oral and written vocabulary practice through activities at the word and sentence level. While students also acquire listening and pronunciation skills, the focus of the course remains vocabulary enrichment and correct use of words.

ESLL 0001
This course concentrates on developing students’ basic reading, comprehension, and writing skills. It introduces them to listening activities, simple vocabulary, and phonics instruction related to everyday situations. The content of the course targets students with no prior school experience or students who come from a language background that uses a non-Roman alphabet. Activities allow students to acquire basic communication skills necessary to function in real-life situations. Students obtain fundamental literacy skills and basic communicative competence.

ESLES 0001
This course introduces students to basic English skills. Students in this course learn practical vocabulary, important English phrases, greetings, the alphabet, the English number system, fundamental grammatical concepts, and basic pronunciation. Students learn to express important needs and wants in English, to give simple requests and to use questions in order to acquire new information. Students obtain basic reading skills by engaging with elementary texts.

LEVEL I

ESLG 1000
This course explores the grammatical foundations of the English language. Students become aware of English syntax so that they can incorporate correct grammatical structures into their ability to speak fluently and write correctly.

ESLW 1000
This course focuses on sentence structure. Students learn how to construct well-written sentences for paragraph development. Students practice editing written texts by focusing on punctuation skills and English grammar.

ESLC 1000
This course helps students to develop basic oral communication skills. It allows students to practice simple oral expressions in order to gain self-confidence when speaking English. Students integrate vocabulary and correct grammatical form into practical conversation, academic contexts, and professional situations.

ESLR 1000
This course helps students to develop basic fluency in reading and text-processing skills. Students develop reading strategies for improving general comprehension, awareness for text structure, and skills for evaluating reading content in detail. Students learn to identify key vocabulary found in the readings.

ESLES 1000
This course reinforces the English language skills that students learn in the other Language Institute courses at the beginning level. Students practice reading skills and English conversation for a variety of contexts: practical, academic and business.

LEVEL II

ESLG 2000
In this course students become proficient in their use of the present, past and future tenses. Students examine the various types of speech (verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, etc.) so that they can speak with an increasing level of competence. This course explores the relationship between grammar and conversation and helps students understand how grammar functions in various types of contexts such business, academic, and practical.

ESLW 2000
This course prepares students to develop their ideas so that they can write various types of paragraphs and incorporate these paragraphs into essay construction. Students practice editing, punctuation, grammar, and sentence mechanics.

ESLC 2000
This course enables students to develop oral communication abilities for life skills and academic objectives. Students engage in a selection of high-interest academic readings in order to promote classroom discussions. Students participate in a variety of classroom activities that encourage fluency and self-confidence when using English.

ESLR 2000
This course allows students to engage in various interactive activities that involve oral presentation of information from the readings, oral exchanges of information, and discussion that involves evaluation of ideas including debates. This course builds vocabulary and expands language by improving speaking and writing skills drawn from ideas found in the readings.

ESLES 2000
This course reinforces the English language skills that students learn in the other Language Institute courses at the intermediate level. Students write for a variety of purposes, practice reading skills, engage in conversation, and listen to English conversation to increase oral comprehension.

LEVEL III

ESLG 3000
This course enhances students’ ability to accurately produce written statements and papers for personal and/or academic purposes. Students learn to write and orally express ideas thoroughly and effectively by incorporating correct syntactical and mechanical skills. Students broaden their understanding of the English grammatical system so that they can become proficient writers and speakers of English.

ESLW 3000
This course prepares students to develop complete essays by utilizing various writing techniques. Students learn to determine the focus and structure of essays by applying more advanced writing criteria. In addition, students write for a variety of purposes such as descriptive, narrative, and persuasive. This course aims at preparing students for university study, particularly freshman composition..

ESLC 3000
This course gives students stronger communication skills by enhancing their listening and comprehension capacity. The focus is on continuous interactive activities that allow students to engage in practical conversations, public speaking, and debates. Students also read various texts concerning current events and other high interest-topics so that they can apply critical thinking skills to engage in classroom discussions.

ESLR 3000
This course enables students to develop analytical skills by comparing and contrasting content from readings, while building a richer semantic foundation. Students will also develop abilities to take notes, highlight, and underline key information for text analysis or content reporting.

ESLES 3000
This course reinforces the English language skills that students learn in the other Language Institute courses at the high intermediate level. Students practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking using various class activities that require them to continuously interact with classmates. Students engage in extensive oral discussions and are expected to use complex grammatical structures to express personal opinions both orally and in writing.

LEVEL IV

ESLG 4000
Students develop a deep understanding of the English verbs system as well as review previously learned grammatical concepts. In addition, students examine complex English grammatical construction so that they gain academic preparation for study at an American university.

ESLW 4000
This course prepares students to write proficient essays in preparation for university study. Course instruction incorporates extensive writing practice, step-by-step instruction on different styles of writing, contextualized activities, and an enhanced focus on vocabulary. Students concentrate on narrative essays, comparison essays, cause and effect essays, and argumentative essays. Students write a variety of academic texts and are also introduced to research paper writing.

ESLC 4000
Students read and discuss texts dealing with current events topics and engage in classroom discussion concerning these topics. Students learn how to prepare and give a variety of oral presentations through the use of technology. Presentations may describe opinions on important social events, academic topics, or professional themes.

ESLES 4000
This course reinforces the English language skills that students learn in the other Language Institute courses at the advanced level. Students use critical thinking skills to engage in high-interest classroom discussions on a variety of topics. Students read literature, essays and currents events articles in order to articulate their opinions and observations about a variety of important issues.

ESLPC 4000
This course prepares students for all aspects of university life. Students develop strategies and skills that help them overcome the challenges they will encounter during their time at the university. In this course, students look at both the academic and cultural facets of university life to help them gain a deeper understanding of the overall university experience.

This course prepares students for all sections of the ACT exam: Math, Science, Reading, and English. Instruction is geared towards sentence completion, reading comprehension, grammar, essay writing, math, and scientific reasoning. Students are exposed to extensive practice in each test section while improving their test-taking skills.

ESLPT 4000
This course prepares students for all sections of the TOEFL exam: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Students enhance communicative skills by increasing interactivity while improving analytical skills as they examine texts and discuss topics on current events. The course requires a high level of student interaction and English proficiency

ESLPT 4000
This course examines how and why the United States was formed, what ideals and values have informed the history of the United States, and what makes American culture distinctive. It also examines the culture, values, music, poetry, and art of the American people. Students study the most important events in American history and speculate about its future.

ESLPT 4000
This course is designed to allow students to interpret current events and develop opinions about them. Students discuss their points of view and present arguments for or against controversial issues affecting our society. Through continuous interaction, students gain self-confidence when expressing their thoughts while questioning other students’ opinions.

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ESL Course Descriptions

INTRODUCTION LEVEL

Introduction to Grammar

ESLG 0001

This course introduces students to basic English skills. Students in this course learn practical vocabulary, important English phrases, greetings, the alphabet, the English number system, fundamental grammatical concepts, and basic pronunciation. Students learn to express important needs and wants in English, to give simple requests and to use questions in order to acquire new information. Students obtain basic reading skills by engaging with elementary texts.

Basic Communication (For Spanish Speakers)

ESLC 0001

This course introduces students to the English phonetic system, while learning simple common daily expressions. Students practice correct pronunciation, intonation, and accent reduction. Students will replicate correct English sounds through pronunciation drills, dialogues, and oral readings.

Vocabulary Enrichment

ESLV 0001

This course introduces students to an extensive array of vocabulary terms used in daily English language conversation and writing. Students engage in oral and written vocabulary practice through activities at the word and sentence level. While students also acquire listening and pronunciation skills, the focus of the course remains vocabulary enrichment and correct use of words.

ESL Literacy

ESLL 0001

This course concentrates on developing students’ basic reading, comprehension, and writing skills. It introduces them to listening activities, simple vocabulary, and phonics instruction related to everyday situations. The content of the course targets students with no prior school experience or students who come from a language background that uses a non-Roman alphabet. Activities allow students to acquire basic communication skills necessary to function in real-life situations. Students obtain fundamental literacy skills and basic communicative competence.

Introduction to English Skills

ESLES 0001

This course introduces students to basic English skills. Students in this course learn practical vocabulary, important English phrases, greetings, the alphabet, the English number system, fundamental grammatical concepts, and basic pronunciation. Students learn to express important needs and wants in English, to give simple requests and to use questions in order to acquire new information. Students obtain basic reading skills by engaging with elementary texts.

LEVEL I

Beginning Conversational Grammar

ESLG 1000

This course explores the grammatical foundations of the English language. Students become aware of English syntax so that they can incorporate correct grammatical structures into their ability to speak fluently and write correctly.

Beginning Writing

ESLW 1000

This course focuses on sentence structure. Students learn how to construct well-written sentences for paragraph development. Students practice editing written texts by focusing on punctuation skills and English grammar.

Beginning Conversation

ESLC 1000

This course helps students to develop basic oral communication skills. It allows students to practice simple oral expressions in order to gain self-confidence when speaking English. Students integrate vocabulary and correct grammatical form into practical conversation, academic contexts, and professional situations.

Beginning Reading

ESLR 1000

This course helps students to develop basic fluency in reading and text-processing skills. Students develop reading strategies for improving general comprehension, awareness for text structure, and skills for evaluating reading content in detail. Students learn to identify key vocabulary found in the readings.

Beginning English Skills

ESLES 1000

This course reinforces the English language skills that students learn in the other Language Institute courses at the beginning level. Students practice reading skills and English conversation for a variety of contexts: practical, academic and business.

LEVEL II

Intermediate Conversational Grammar

ESLG 2000

In this course students become proficient in their use of the present, past and future tenses. Students examine the various types of speech (verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, etc.) so that they can speak with an increasing level of competence. This course explores the relationship between grammar and conversation and helps students understand how grammar functions in various types of contexts such business, academic, and practical.

Intermediate Writing

ESLW 2000

This course prepares students to develop their ideas so that they can write various types of paragraphs and incorporate these paragraphs into essay construction. Students practice editing, punctuation, grammar, and sentence mechanics.

Intermediate Conversation

ESLC 2000

This course enables students to develop oral communication abilities for life skills and academic objectives. Students engage in a selection of high-interest academic readings in order to promote classroom discussions. Students participate in a variety of classroom activities that encourage fluency and self-confidence when using English.

Intermediate Reading

ESLR 2000

This course allows students to engage in various interactive activities that involve oral presentation of information from the readings, oral exchanges of information, and discussion that involves evaluation of ideas including debates. This course builds vocabulary and expands language by improving speaking and writing skills drawn from ideas found in the readings.

Intermediate English Skills

ESLES 2000

This course reinforces the English language skills that students learn in the other Language Institute courses at the intermediate level. Students write for a variety of purposes, practice reading skills, engage in conversation, and listen to English conversation to increase oral comprehension.

LEVEL III

High Intermediate Conversational Grammar

ESLG 3000

This course enhances students’ ability to accurately produce written statements and papers for personal and/or academic purposes. Students learn to write and orally express ideas thoroughly and effectively by incorporating correct syntactical and mechanical skills. Students broaden their understanding of the English grammatical system so that they can become proficient writers and speakers of English.

High Intermediate Writing

ESLW 3000

This course prepares students to develop complete essays by utilizing various writing techniques. Students learn to determine the focus and structure of essays by applying more advanced writing criteria. In addition, students write for a variety of purposes such as descriptive, narrative, and persuasive. This course aims at preparing students for university study, particularly freshman composition..

High Intermediate Conversation

ESLC 3000

This course gives students stronger communication skills by enhancing their listening and comprehension capacity. The focus is on continuous interactive activities that allow students to engage in practical conversations, public speaking, and debates. Students also read various texts concerning current events and other high interest-topics so that they can apply critical thinking skills to engage in classroom discussions.

High Intermediate Reading

ESLR 3000

This course enables students to develop analytical skills by comparing and contrasting content from readings, while building a richer semantic foundation. Students will also develop abilities to take notes, highlight, and underline key information for text analysis or content reporting.

High Intermediate English Skills

ESLES 3000

This course gives students stronger communication skills by enhancing their listening and comprehension capacity. The focus is on continuous interactive activities that allow students to engage in practical conversations, public speaking, and debates. Students also read various texts concerning current events and other high interest-topics so that they can apply critical thinking skills to engage in classroom discussions.

LEVEL IV

Advanced Conversational Grammar

ESLG 4000

Students develop a deep understanding of the English verbs system as well as review previously learned grammatical concepts. In addition, students examine complex English grammatical construction so that they gain academic preparation for study at an American university.

Advanced Writing

ESLW 4000

This course prepares students to write proficient essays in preparation for university study. Course instruction incorporates extensive writing practice, step-by-step instruction on different styles of writing, contextualized activities, and an enhanced focus on vocabulary. Students concentrate on narrative essays, comparison essays, cause and effect essays, and argumentative essays. Students write a variety of academic texts and are also introduced to research paper writing.

Advanced Conversation

ESLC 4000

Students read and discuss texts dealing with current events topics and engage in classroom discussion concerning these topics. Students learn how to prepare and give a variety of oral presentations through the use of technology. Presentations may describe opinions on important social events, academic topics, or professional themes.

Advanced Reading

ESLR 4000

This course develops students’ skills in reading, vocabulary building, and critical thinking. Learners develop strategies such as using background knowledge of the topic, using context clues, scanning text, identifying literal versus inferential comprehension, and comparing facts and/or opinions from readings. Learners are exposed to a combination of text with graphics, diagrams, tables, photographs, and video.

Advanced English Skills

ESLES 4000

This course reinforces the English language skills that students learn in the other Language Institute courses at the advanced level. Students use critical thinking skills to engage in high-interest classroom discussions on a variety of topics. Students read literature, essays and currents events articles in order to articulate their opinions and observations about a variety of important issues.

Preparation for College

ESLPC 4000

This course prepares students for all aspects of university life. Students develop strategies and skills that help them overcome the challenges they will encounter during their time at the university. In this course, students look at both the academic and cultural facets of university life to help them gain a deeper understanding of the overall university experience.

Preparation for the ACT

This course prepares students for all sections of the ACT exam: Math, Science, Reading, and English. Instruction is geared towards sentence completion, reading comprehension, grammar, essay writing, math, and scientific reasoning. Students are exposed to extensive practice in each test section while improving their test-taking skills.

Preparation for the TOEFL

ESLPT 4000

This course prepares students for all sections of the TOEFL exam: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Students enhance communicative skills by increasing interactivity while improving analytical skills as they examine texts and discuss topics on current events. The course requires a high level of student interaction and English proficiency

American History and Culture

ESLPT 4000

This course examines how and why the United States was formed, what ideals and values have informed the history of the United States, and what makes American culture distinctive. It also examines the culture, values, music, poetry, and art of the American people. Students study the most important events in American history and speculate about its future.

Current Events: Making Sense of the News

ESLPT 4000

This course is designed to allow students to interpret current events and develop opinions about them. Students discuss their points of view and present arguments for or against controversial issues affecting our society. Through continuous interaction, students gain self-confidence when expressing their thoughts while questioning other students’ opinions.

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